Strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawSeventyFive’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawSeventyFive’, selected for its large conical fruits, open canopy, and long trusses, is disclosed.

Latin name:

Botanical classification: Fragaria x ananassa.

Varietal denomination: The varietal denomination of the claimed variety of strawberry plant is ‘DrisStrawSeventyFive’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cultivated strawberry is a hybrid species of the genus Fragaria that is grown worldwide for its fruit. Modern strawberry was first bred in Brittany, France, in the 18^(th) century by crossing Fragaria virginiana with Fragaria chiloensis. Strawberry fruit is an aggregate accessory fruit, with the fleshy part of the fruit being derived from the receptacle that holds the ovaries.

Strawberry varieties vary widely in color, size, shape, flavor, season of ripening, degree of fertility, and susceptibility to disease. Certain varieties vary in foliage, and some vary in the relative development of their reproductive organs. Typically, strawberry flowers appear hermaphroditic in structure, but function as either male or female. Generally, commercial production of strawberry plants involves propagation from runners and distribution as either plugs or bare root plants. Cultivation is either perennial or annual plasticulture. During the off season, strawberries can also be produced in greenhouses.

Strawberry fruit is widely appreciated for its characteristic bright red color, aroma, juicy texture, and sweetness. Strawberry fruit is a popular fruit that is generally consumed either fresh or in prepared foods, such as preserves and baked goods.

Strawberry is an important and valuable fruit crop. Accordingly, there is a need for new varieties of strawberry plants. In particular, there is a need for improved varieties of strawberry plant that are stable, high yielding, and agronomically sound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to meet these needs, the present invention is directed to an improved variety of strawberry plant. In particular, the invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant (Fragaria x ananassa), which has been denominated as ‘DrisStrawSeventyFive’.

Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawSeventyFive’ originated from a cross between the proprietary female parent ‘54S259’ (unpatented) and the male parent ‘DrisStrawFiftySix’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,731). Progeny plants from this cross, including ‘DrisStrawSeventyFive’, were asexually propagated via stolons in McArthur, Shasta County, Calif. in April of 2012. Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawSeventyFive’ was later specifically identified and selected in Ventura County, Calif. in October of 2012.

‘DrisStrawSeventyFive’ was subsequently asexually propagated via stolons, and underwent further testing at a farm in Ventura County, Calif. for six years (2012 to 2018). The present variety has been found to be stable and reproduce true to type through successive asexual propagations via stolons.

‘DrisStrawSeventyFive’ exhibits the following distinguishing characteristics when grown under normal horticultural practices in Ventura County, Calif.:

-   -   1. Upright plant growth habit;     -   2. Inflorescence above foliage; and     -   3. Partially remontant type of bearing.

‘DrisStrawSeventyFive’ was selected for its large conical fruits, open canopy, and long trusses.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new strawberry plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show fruit of the plant, flowers, leaves, and a plant. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs are of plants that are three months old.

FIG. 1 illustrates whole fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventyFive’.

FIG. 2 illustrates longitudinal sections of fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventyFive’.

FIG. 3 shows the upper and lower surfaces of flowers of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventyFive’.

FIG. 4A shows the upper surface of a leaf of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventyFive’. FIG. 4B shows the lower surface of a leaf of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventyFive’.

FIG. 5 illustrates a plant of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventyFive’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘DrisStrawSeventyFive’. The data which define these characteristics is based on observations taken in Ventura County, Calif. from 2012 to 2018. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic, and cultural conditions. ‘DrisStrawSeventyFive’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The botanical description of ‘DrisStrawSeventyFive’ was taken from plants that were three month old. The indicated values represent averages calculated from measurements of several plants. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2007 edition). Descriptive terminology follows the Plant Identification Terminology, An Illustrated Glossary, 2^(nd) edition by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, unless where otherwise defined.

-   Classification:     -   -   Species.—Fragaria x ananassa.         -   Common name.—Strawberry.         -   Denomination.—‘DrisStrawSeventyFive’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—The proprietary variety ‘54S259’             (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—The variety ‘DrisStrawFiftySix’ (U.S. Plant             Pat. No. 29,731). -   Plant:     -   -   Height.—19.1 cm.         -   Diameter.—35.3 cm.         -   Number of crowns per plant.—4.         -   Growth habit.—Upright.         -   Density of foliage.—Medium.         -   Vigor.—Medium. -   Stolon:     -   -   Average number of daughter plants per square foot.—12.         -   Diameter at bract.—3.30 mm.         -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Strong.         -   Anthocyanin color.—RHS 58C (Strong purplish red).         -   Stolon color.—RHS 138B (Moderate yellow-green).         -   Density of pubescence on the stolon.—Medium. -   Leaf:     -   -   Number of leaflets.—Three only.         -   Color of upper surface.—RHS NN137B (Greyish olive green).         -   Color of lower surface.—RHS 138B (Moderate yellow-green).         -   Leaf blistering.—Medium.         -   Leaf glossiness.—Medium.         -   Variegation.—Absent.         -   Terminal leaflets.—Length: 9.2 cm. Width: 8.1 cm.             Length/width ratio: 1.1. Number of teeth/terminal             leaflet: 23. Shape of base: Acute. Margin: Serrate to             crenate. Shape in cross section: Concave.         -   Petiole.—Length: 14.7 cm. Diameter: 3.64 mm. Attitude of             hairs: Slightly outwards. Bract frequency (number present on             each petiole): 2. Petiole color: RHS 143B (Strong             yellow-green).         -   Petiolule.—Length: 9.62 mm. Diameter: 2.27 mm.         -   Stipule.—Length: 4.2 cm. Width: 8.60 mm. Anthocyanin             coloration: Weak. Anthocyanin color: RHS 54B (Deep purplish             pink). Stipule color: RHS 141C (Strong yellowish green). -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Position in relation to foliage.—Above.         -   Pedicel.—Attitude of hairs: Slightly outwards. Pedicel             color: RHS 144B (Strong yellow-green).         -   Flower.—Flower diameter (petal tip to petal tip on             non-flattened flower): 23.89 mm. Arrangement of petals:             Overlapping. Stamen: Present. Stamen length: 5.1 mm. Stamen             width: 0.4 mm. Number of stamens per flower: 30. Anther             color: RHS 14A (Vivid yellow). Typical and observed number             of flowers per plant: 33.30.         -   Petal.—Length: 9.61 mm. Width: 10.50 mm. Length/width ratio:             0.9. Typical and observed petal number: 6. Color of upper             side: RHS NN155B (White). Color of lower side: RHS 155B             (Yellowish white).         -   Calyx.—Diameter (sepal tip to sepal tip, measured on back of             flower): 27.53 mm. Calyx color: RHS 139A (Dark yellowish             green).         -   Sepal.—Length (sepal tip to point of attachment to             receptacle): 9.17 mm. Width: 5.30 mm. Typical and observed             sepal number: 11. -   Fruit:     -   -   Length.—43.31 mm.         -   Width.—39.30 mm.         -   Length/width ratio.—1.1.         -   Fruit hollow length.—14.13 mm.         -   Fruit hollow width.—9.96 mm.         -   Fruit hollow length/width ratio.—1.4.         -   Shape.—Conical.         -   Differences in shape between primary and secondary             fruit.—Slight.         -   Color.—RHS N45A (Moderate red).         -   Evenness of fruit color.—Even or very slightly uneven.         -   Fruit glossiness.—Medium.         -   Width of band without achenes.—Absent or very narrow.         -   Fruit firmness.—Medium.         -   Position of achenes.—Below surface.         -   Achene color.—RHS 151B (Strong yellowish green).         -   Number of achenes per fruit.—370.         -   Achene weight.—477 mg.         -   Peduncle length.—8.95 cm.         -   Peduncle diameter.—2.2 mm.         -   Number of fruit per truss.—5.         -   Position of calyx attachment.—Inserted.         -   Attitude of sepals.—Upwards.         -   Color of flesh (excluding core).—RHS N155C (Pinkish white).         -   Color of core.—RHS 38C (Light yellowish pink).         -   Titratable acidity (as citric acid in percentage).—0.8025%.         -   Sugar content (as soluble solids in degrees brix).—8.225°. -   Production:     -   -   Flowering interval.—July to November.         -   Harvest interval.—September to December.         -   Type of bearing.—Partially remontant.         -   Productivity.—10,864 kg to 16,119 kg of fruit per acre per             season from five-month-old plants when grown in Ventura             County, Calif. -   Resistance to diseases, pests, and abiotic stress:     -   -   Strawberry aphid (chaetosiphon fragaefolii).—Moderately             resistant.         -   Two-spotted spider mite (tetranychus urticae).—Moderately             resistant.         -   Botrytis fruit rot (botrytis cinerea).—Moderately resistant.         -   Powdery mildew (podosphaera macularis).—Moderately             resistant.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

‘DrisStrawSeventyFive’ differs from the proprietary female parent ‘54S259’ (unpatented) in that ‘DrisStrawSeventyFive’ has a less dense canopy, larger fruit size, and longer trusses compared to ‘54S259’.

‘DrisStrawSeventyFive’ differs from the male parent ‘DrisStrawFiftySix’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,731) in that ‘DrisStrawSeventyFive’ has an upright plant growth habit, inflorescence above foliage, an overlapping arrangement of petals, and a partially remontant type of bearing, whereas ‘DrisStrawFiftySix’ has a semi-upright to spreading plant growth habit, inflorescence on the same level as foliage, a touching arrangement of petals, and a fully remontant type of bearing.

‘DrisStrawSeventyFive’ differs from the commercial variety ‘DrisStrawTwentyOne’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,506) in that ‘DrisStrawSeventyFive’ has inflorescence above foliage, an acute shape of base of terminal leaflet, a serrate to crenate margin of terminal leaflet, and a partially remontant type of bearing, whereas ‘DrisStrawTwentyOne’ has inflorescence beneath foliage, a rounded shape of base of terminal leaflet, a crenate margin of terminal leaflet, and a fully remontant type of bearing.

‘DrisStrawSeventyFive’ differs from the commercial variety ‘DrisStrawSixty’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,789) in that ‘DrisStrawSeventyFive’ has an upright plant growth habit, inflorescence above foliage, an acute shape of base of terminal leaflet, and a partially remontant type of bearing, whereas ‘DrisStrawSixty’ has a semi-upright plant growth habit, inflorescence on the same level as foliage, a rounded shape of base of terminal leaflet, and a fully remontant type of bearing. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawSeventyFive’ as shown and described herein. 